Vapor generating apparatus



April 1965 G. c. BERGER 3,177,851

VAPOR GENERATING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 29, 1961 F/c Z 32 Wzawroz 5 6502 655K652 United States Patent 3,177,851 VAPQR GENERATEN G APPARATUS George C. Berger, Erskine, Filed Nov. 29, 1961, Ser. No. 155,615 2 Claims. (6i. 123--25) This invention relates to a vapor-generating attachment for conventional internal combustion engines for supplying water vapor into the intake manifold of the engine, and thereby improving the performance of the engine While effecting a substantial saving in gasoline consumption during normal operation of the engine.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel vaporgenerating apparatus, of simple and inexpensive construction, for use with conventional internal combustion en ines, the apparatus improving the operation of the engine/while at the same time effecting a substantial saving in the fuel.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel and improved vapor-generating attachment for a conventional internal combustion engine, the attachment being connectible to a supply of Water and to the intake manifold of the engine, and including means for mounting the attachment on the engine exhaust manifold to permit ready heating of the attachment by the exhaust gases whereby a predetermined amountof water vapor will be continuously supplied to the intake manifold to thereby improve the efficiency and performance of the engine while substantially reducing the fuel consumption thereof.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel and improved water-vapor generating apparatus for use with conventional internal combustion engines, the attachment including a boiler structure connectible to a supply of Water and to the intake manifold of the engine, and having a heating element disposed within the interior of the engine exhaust manifold for heating the boiler structure so that water within the boiler structure will be vaporized and conducted to the intake manifold of the engine to thereby effect a substantial reduction in gasoline consumption of theengine during normal operation thereof.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following descript on made in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational View of a conventionalcinternal combustion engine incorporating my invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of my invention on an enlarged scale: I s g v Referring now to the drawing and more specifically to FIG. 1, it will be seen that my novel vapor-generating attachment is shown incorporatedwithin an internal combustion engine 10. Engine 10 is of the conventional type employed in any conventional automobile and includes a radiator 11 and an engine block 12. The exhaust gas produced by the combustion of the atomized gasoline fuel is exhausted through the exhaust manifold 13. The engine 10 also includes a conventional carburetor 14 having an air filter 15, the carburetor including a discharge throat 16 through which the atomized vaporized gasoline is passed to the intake manifold of the engine. It will be noted that the engine includes a heat riser structure 17 which communicates directly with the discharge throat 16 of the carburetor 14 so that the vaporized mixture of air and gasoline is heated prior to passage through the intake manifold.

As i well known in the art, the carburetor serves to force the liquid fuel such as gasoline through small jets to be thereafter mixed and atomized with a predetermined amount of air in one or more venturi. The atomized or vaporized mixture of gasoline and air is conveyed to the cylinders wherein-the mixture is ignited and exploded. It has been found that if a certain amount of Water vapor is introduced to the atomized combustible mixture of gasoline and air, the efficiency and performance of the engine is increased while at the same time effecting a substantial reduction in gasoline consumption.

To this end, I have provided a novel vapor-generating attachment designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 18. This vapor-generating attachment 18 includes a hollow, elongate boiler structure 19 constructed of suitable rigid metal, the hollow interior thereof defining vapor-generating chamber 29. This boiler structure 19 is mounted in upright relation on the exhaust manifold 13 as best seen in FIG. 1. It will be noted that the boiler structure 19 has an externally threaded reduced lower end 21 which is threaded into engagement with a corresponding female fitting 21a carried by the exhaust manifold. It will also be noted, as best seen in FIG. 2, that this lower reduced end 21 of boiler structure 19 is also internally threaded and threadedly engages a small elongate heating element 22.

' Referring again to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the lower end portion of the boiler structure 19 is provided with an externally threaded, laterally projecting inlet 23. This inlet 23 is detachably connected in fluid sealing relation to an inlet conduit 24 by means of a conventional fitting 25. This inlet conduit 24 has its other end detachably connected in fluid sealing relation to a water reservoir or tank 26 mounted adjacent the forward portion of the internal combustion engine 10; It will be seen that the conduit 24 is connected to the water reservoir 26 by means of a conventional fitting 27. It will also be noted that the water reservoir 26 is provided with a conventional'filler and closure cap 28 to permit ready filling .of the tank.

connected by a fitting -33 to an inlet 34 communicating with the discharge throat 16 of the carburetor 14. It will,

therefore, be seen that the water vapor generated by my novel vapor generating attachment 18 will be discharged into the discharge throat 16 of the carburetor 14 so that the combustible l mixture of gasoline and air will be provided with a predetermined amount of water vapor prior to the introduction of this mixture into the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine 1%.

7 During operation of my novel vapor-generating attachment 18, the attachment can be readily mounted for use with conventional internal combustion engine 10. The water reservoir 26 will be preferably mounted adjacent the forward portion of the engine it) and the boiler structure 19 will be threadedly engaged with respect to the threaded fitting 21a of the exhaust manifold 13. When so mounted on the exhaust manifold 13, the heating element 22 which is carried by the lower end of the boiler structure 19 will be disposed within the interior of the exhaust manifold to thereby permit ready conductor such as a nickel alloy or the like. The conduit 23 will be connected to the water reservoir 26 and to the inlet 23 'in fluid conducting relation therewith so that water within the reservoir will flow into the boiler structure 19. The outlet conduit 31 will be connected in fluid conducting relation with the boiler structure 19 and the throat 16 of the carburetor 14.

During operation of the engine 10, the heating element will be heated by exhaust gases passing through the exhaust manifold, It will, therefore, be seen that water passing through the inlet conduit 24 into the boiler structure 19 will be heated and vaporized by the heating element 22 so that the water vapor will be forced outwardly through the outlet conduit 31 and into the discharge throat 16 of conduit 14. Thus, a predetermined amount of Water vapor will be added to the combustible mixture of air and atomized gasoline.

In order to prevent water from flooding into the carburetor rather than being in water vapor form, a float valve mechanism 34 is incorporated in fluid controlling relation within the conduit 24. The valve mechanism 34 is of the conventional flow type and includes a housing 35 having a closure cover 36 secured thereto. The float 37 is disposed within the housing 35 and is provided with an arm 38 the latter being pivoted to the housing at 35 for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis. A needle valve 40 is supported upon the float arm 38 and is movable into and out of seated relation with.

respect to a valve seat 41, the latter being disposed in communicating relation with the conduit 34 in the interior of the housing 35. Thus it will be seen that when a predetermined amount of water accumulates within the housing 35, the valve seat 41 will be closed by the needle valve 40 so that a water level may be maintained in the boiler structure 19. With this arrangement, there is no danger of flooding the carburetor with water.

It has been found by using approximately one quart of water to approximately five hundred gallons of gasoline, a substantial reduction in gasoline consumption 7 7 may be obtained while also permitting smoother overall performance of the engine. This is generally attributable to more efficient combusion of the gasoline so that the unburned or partially burned hydro-carbon is greatly reduced.

. It will .be appreciated that ineflicient combustion results in the production of carbon monoxide and other airpolluting fumes. The unburned or partially burned hydrocarbons which are products of incomplete combustion are exhausted through the exhaust pipes of automobiles and this carbon monoxide as is well known is lethal. It will, therefore, be seen that through the use of my novel vaporgenerating attachment not only is a substantial reduction in gasoline consumption obtained but there is a great reduction in unburned or partially burned hydro-carbons. It will, therefore, be seen that Ihave provided a novel vapor generating attachment for use with convenional internal combustion engines, said attachment serving to introduce a predetermined amount of water vapor into the atomized combustible mixture of air and gasoline. It will further be seen that my novel vapor generating attachment when used with a conventional internal combustion engine not only permits smoother performance of the engine but also substantially reduces the gasoline consumption during normal operation of the engine. 7

Thus, it will be seen that I have provided a novel vapor generating attachment for use with conventional internal gasoline engines which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction but which functions in a more eflicient manner than any heretofore known comparable devices.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportions of the various parts without departing from the general scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Vapor-generating apparatus for use in supplying water vapor to the intake manifold of a conventional internal combustion engine, said apparatus including an elongate boiler structure having a hollow interior defining a generating chamber, and being externally threaded at one end portion thereof for threaded engagement with an upwardly opening threaded aperture in the exhaust manifold to thereby permit ready mounting of the boiler structure in upright relation on the exhaust manifold of a conventional internal combustion engine,

a heating element of reduced cross sectional size carried by the lower portion of said boiler structure and projecting beyond the threaded lower end portion of the latter and being disposed within the interior of the exhaust manifold when the boiler structure is mounted on the latter whereby water flowing into the vapor generating chamber'will be readily vaporized therein,

said boiler structure having a transversely opening inlet adjacent the lower end portion thereof communicating with said vapor generating chamber,

an inlet conduit connected in fluid conducting relation with said inlet and a supply of water,

said boiler structure having an axially opening reduced outlet adjacent the upper end thereof communicating with said vapor chamber and being disposed in coaxial relation with respect to the heating element,

an outlet conduit connected in fluid communication with said outlet and with the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine .whereby water vaporized within said generating chamber will be conducted into the intake manifold of the engine,

and a float valve mechanism interposed between said supply of water and said boiler structure for constantly metering a predetermined amount of water into the latter.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said boiler structure is of subs'tantiallycylindrical construction and said generating chamber is unobstructed throughout.

' References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,181,036 4/16 Renter l23-25.ll 1,316,960 9/19 Kline et a1 12325.11 1,334,952 3/20 Harriman 123-25.l1 X 1,397,837 11/21 Kincaid 123---25.11 1,686,470 10/28 Schwertner l2325.1l 1,739,073 12/29 Johnson 12325.11 2,036,834 4/36 Schmitt 12325.11 X 2,489,745 11/ 49 Blumberg. et a1 123-25.ll 2,674,235 4/54 Drydyke 123--25.l1

KARL J. ALBRECHT, Primary Examiner. 

1. VAPOR-GENERATING APPARATUS FOR USE IN SUPPLYING WATER VAPOR TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF A CONVENTIONAL INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, SAID APPARATUS INCLUDING AN ELONGATE BOILER STRUCTURE HAVING A HOLLOW INTERIOR DEFINING A GENERATING CHAMBER, AND BEING EXTERNALLY THREADED AT ONE END PORTION THEREOF FOR THREADED APERGAGEMENT WITH AN UPWARDLY OPENING THREADED APERTURE IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO THEREBY PERMIT READY MOUNTING OF THE BOILER STRUCTURE IN UPRIGHT RELATION ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OF A CONVENTIONAL INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, A HEATING ELEMENT OF REDUCED CROSS SECTIONAL SIZE CARRIED BY THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID BOILER STRUCTURE AND PROJECTING BEYOND THE THREADED LOWER END PORTION OF THE LATTER AND BEING DISPOSED WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHEN THE BOILER STRUCTURE IS MOUNTED ON THE LATTER WHEREBY WATER FLOWING INTO THE VAPOR GENERATING CHAMBER WILL BE READILY VAPORIZED THEREIN, SAID BOILER STRUCTURE HAIVNG A TRANSVERSELY OPENING INLET ADJACENT THE LOWER END PORTION THEREOF COMMUNICATING WITH SAID VAPOR GENERATING CHAMBER, AN INLET CONDUIT CONNECTED IN FLUID CONDUTING RELATION WITH SAID INLET AND A SUPPLY OF WATER, SAID BOILER STRUCTURE HAVING AN AXIALLY OPENING REDUCED OUTLET ADJACENT THE UPPER END THEREOF COMMUNICATING WITH SAID VAPOR CHAMBER AND BEING DISPOSED IN COAXIAL RELATION WITH RESPECT TO THE HEATING ELEMENT, AN OUTLET CONDUIT CONNECTED IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID OUTLET AND WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WHEREBY WATER VAPORIZED WITHIN SAID GENERATING CHAMBER WILL BE CONDUCTED INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF THE ENGINE, AND A FLOAT VALVE MECHANISM INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID SUPPLY OF WATER AND SAID BOILER STRUCTURE FOR CONSTANTLY METERING A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT OF WATER INTO THE LATTER. 